The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

Our guest on today's Fretboard Journal Podcast is Chris Young, founder of Union Tube & Transistor. Chris walks us through Union's history, his current pedal lineup and the story behind his pedal collaboration with Jack White. We also hear about the time he gave a pedal to Tom Waits and about some of Union's latest products, including their new Lab compressor pedal. While Chris was in Seattle, we also took him to Johnny Sangster's Crackle & Pop studio to do a quick video demo. Watch it on fretboardjournal.com. This podcast is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Adam Levy's new Guitar Tips Pro, where you can get great professional video lessons for as little as $5 a month.

The second installment of our interview with Zack Vex of Z.Vex Effects covers a lot of ground. Zack gives us an overview of Z.Vex's current offerings, he then gives us his thoughts on the guitar effects industry today and he walks us through his latest invention, an all-new microphone that has to be heard to be believed. Plus a lot more... Listen to part one of this two-hour interview here. This episode is brought to you by Dying Breed Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print magazine and use the discount code PODCAST to get $5 off your order. https://www.zvex.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com

On this week's podcast, we talk to Zack Vex of Z.Vex Effects. Over the last twenty-plus years, Zack has been at the forefront of the boutique pedal movement. But, as you'll hear during our lengthy interview, his love for electronics and science goes way beyond just guitar effects. Zack walks us through his childhood, his first guitar repairs and the early days of his now-flourishing company. On next week's episode, we'll hear about Z.Vex today and some of Zack's most recent inventions including the Candelas Vibraphase and a brand new (and mind boggling) microphone. This episode is brought to you by Dying Breed Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal and use the discount code PODCAST to get $5 off your order. https://www.zvex.comhttps://www.fretboardjournal.com

Musician Christian Lee Hutson is one of the most impressive young songwriters we've talked to in recent memory. On today's podcast, we talk to Chrstian about getting hooked on guitar (thanks to Nirvana), dropping out of high school to pursue music and his latest recording projects, including a forthcoming album featuring members of Dawes. We'll have videos of Christian at the Fretboard Journal coming soon. In the meantime, check out some of his music performances online to get a sense of his unique songwriting or catch him on tour opening for John Moreland. This episode is sponsored by our friends at Retrofret Vintage Instruments. http://www.christianleehutson.com Watch: Christian Lee Hutson - "I Just Can't Fucking Do It Anymore"

On this week's podcast, we talk to builder Todd Cambio of Fraulini Guitars. While a lot of guitarmakers focus on traditional Martin or Gibson-style instruments, Todd loves to focus on models built by more obscure vintage instrument brands, including Stella, Larson Bros., Lyon & Healy and Oscar Schmidt. During our talk, Todd talks to us about his start in lutherie and his love for early blues and 78 recordings. He then explains the research he did to recreate Lydia Mendoza's 12-string guitar and his new attempt to create a replica of Lonnie Johnson's 12-string guitar (both, it turns out, were originally built by San Antonio's Acosta family). Cambio is equal parts luthier and history detective… it's fascinating to hear how he cobbles together information and grainy photos to build some of these instruments. We hope you enjoy our talk. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Dying Breed Music. Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes. And use the discount code PODCAST when you check out at fretboardjournal.com to save an additional $5 off your order.

Sam Amidon is, quite simply, one of our favorite musicians. His visionary music is mesmerizing, he somehow melds traditional Appalachian folk with experimental music. On this week's podcast, we talk to Sam about his music-filled childhood (his parents are folk singers Peter and Mary Alice Amidon) and his transition from being a professional traditional fiddler to a groundbreaking solo artist. Sam tells us about his discovery of avant-garde music and free jazz, what it was like to get lessons from Leroy Jenkins and his time in the indie band Stars Like Fleas. He also discusses his collaboration with hero Bill Frisell (2014's Lily-O), the energy he finds in primitive field recordings, why he wore a kung fu outfit to his first solo gig… and a lot more. Sam has had a fascinating musical journey and he walks us through it all. Sam's 2017 Nonesuch album, The Following Mountain, is his first recording to feature his own songs. We can't recommend it enough. Audio note: There's some cell phone distortion in the first ten minutes of this call; it gets better as the conversation goes on. Stick with it. This episode is sponsored by Dying Breed Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Order a subscription to the Fretboard Journal via our site and use the coupon code PODCAST to save $5 off any order.

For guitar collectors, Zeke Schein is best-known as the long-time salesman you see at Matt Umanov Guitars. What you may not know is that Zeke is also the guy who discovered what may very well be the third photo of Robert Johnson ever unearthed (an eBay find erroneously listed as a BB King photo). Since purchasing that small photo over a decade ago, Schein has had quite a roller coaster ride. He went through hurdles to get the photo authenticated, he gave the rights to the Robert Johnson Estate and he's witnessed his unlikely eBay find get reprinted in national magazines. He's also faced the wrath of blues historians, some of whom rabidly dispute that this is in fact a shot of Johnson at all. Zeke has written a new book entitled Portrait of a Phantom: The Story of Robert Johnson's Lost Photograph. Though ostensibly about the discovery of this image, Zeke's book is about a lot more, too. He writes about his love for the blues, his time at Umanov's, the New York music scene and why some of us are so compelled to learn more about our music heroes. On this week's podcast, we talk to Zeke about the photo, his career selling guitars at one of the world's most famous stores and much more. This episode of our podcast is brought to you by Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Need a subscription to the Fretboard Journal? Order today and use the discount code PODCAST to get $5 off your order.

Our dear friend Bill Collings, founder of Collings Guitars & Mandolins, passed away on July 14, 2017 after a long battle with cancer. We're working on a tribute for Bill in the next issue of the Journal (and if you have any great Bill stories, we'd love to hear them). We also decided to share this talk he gave at the first Fretboard Summit in 2015. During this session, Bill was interviewed by Mark Stutman (Folkway Music). It was a lively, unfiltered chat full of laughs. We also fielded questions from the audience, talked about Waterloos and more. RIP Bill. We're going to miss our chats with you. –Jason

Twenty years ago, Lluís Gómez heard Banjo Paris Session, an album featuring the playing of Jean-Marie Redon and Bill Keith. It completely changed this Spanish musician's life. Gómez would go on to obsess over the five-string banjo, eventually tracking down lessons with Keith, Tony Trischka and Pete Wernick. These days, Gómez is considered the "Spanish King of the Five-String Banjo." He's a prolific performer, educator and music promoter, bringing a distinctly American music to new audiences in Europe. On this episode, he tells us about the state of banjo in Spain today, his excellent new record Dotze contes, the instruments that he loves and much more. This episode is brought to you by two of our favorite stores: Dying Breed Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. We are now shipping the Fretboard Journal #39. Use the coupon code PODCAST when you check out at fretboardjournal.com and get $5 off your order. Lluís' site: http://www.lluisgomez.com/index-en.html

Today we're talking to Jas Obrecht, acclaimed music journalist and editor. Jas is the author of the recently published anthology, Talking Guitar: Conversations with Musicians Who Shaped Twentieth-Century American Music. The book is filled interviews Jas conducted with music icons such as Nick Lucas, Ry Cooder, "Pops" Staples, Ry Cooder and Jerry Garcia. He tells us a bit about how it came about, what these amazing interviews were like, his days working at Guitar Player and much more. The Fretboard Journal's 39th issue is now mailing. Use the coupon code PODCAST when you check out and you'll save $5 off any subscription, just for being a FJ Podcast listener. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Links: www.fretboardjournal.comTalking Guitar: Conversations with Musicians Who Shaped Twentieth-Century American Music by Jas Obrecht (Amazon link)

Thirty years ago, luthier Dana Bourgeois (Bourgeois Guitars) and performer/vintage guitar dealer Eric Schoenberg teamed up to create a guitar that was at once both very traditional and very forward-thinking, the Schoenberg Soloist. The Soloist was Eric's dream fingerstyle instrument – a traditionally-built Martin OM-style guitar built with a wider neck and a cutaway built into the body. On today's podcast, we talk about the making of the Soloist and hear about the limited run of Soloist 30th Anniversary guitars that they've created. We also discover why Eric loves Martin necks from 1930; the tonal differences he hears between 12 and 14-fret guitars; and much more. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret and Dying Breed Music.

On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to luthier Nate Wood, out of Springfield, Oregon. Nate regaled us with guitarmaking tales at last month's La Conner Guitar Festival so we quickly hatched a plan to bring him on the show. Before launching his own guitar and guitar repair business (Stahman Guitars), Nate went to school at Roberto Venn and then honed his chops working for Ryan Thorell. His own inventive guitars are inspired by some of the funkier American guitar designs of the '50s and '60s. Nate is also a big fan of using reclaimed woods and eco-friendly materials. This episode is brought to you by Retrofret Vintage Guitars.

The music of singer-songwriter Vikesh Kapoor has always defied logic. Here's a 20-something artist—born in small town Pennsylvania to immigrants from India—who seems more inspired by Pete Seeger, John Jacob Niles and Woody Guthrie that any popular music from the last few decades. On today's podcast, we talk to Kapoor about his upbringing, his influences and his favorite guitars. Kapoor has a new single out, entitled "Down by the River." "It was one of the first songs that I wrote and I never had it recorded in a way that I liked," he says. Kapoor wrote it while inspired by Seeger's "Dink's Song" in essentially a day, right before his 23rd birthday. We also talk about guitars, including the '70s Gibson J-50 Deluxe that Kapoor found in a local shop, almost by fate. It served as the primary songwriting instrument behind The Ballad of Willy Robbins [Kapoor's 2013 album] and "Down by the River." This episode of the Fretboard Journal Podcast is brought to you by Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Dying Breed Music. Kapoor's new recording is available at all the usual digital music outlets and can also be purchased as a flexi-single from Mama Bird Recording Co. As always, we hope you'll subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print edition. If you do, use the discount code PODCAST when you check out. And don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes. It takes a few seconds and helps expand our audience.

These week, we talk to acclaimed guitarmaker Mark Whitebook. In the 1970s, Whitebook had a cult following for his handmade guitars and a client list that included James Taylor, Carly Simon, Phil Keaggy and Clarence White. But in 1980, having built around 70 instruments total, Whitebook left the world of lutherie and pursued a career outside of the music industry. Thirty five years later, Whitebook has returned to building instruments (he kept all of his original tools and equipment all of these years). During this two-hour long talk, we chat about his background, how he taught himself to build his first guitar (with help from Irving Sloane's now legendary book on guitar construction), the Southern California guitar scene of the 1970s (including his time spent with David Russell Young and Chuck "The Duke of Pearl" Erikson) and how his dreadnought instruments stray from traditional Martin construction. We also learn just how hard it is to make a living building guitars. Whitebook is a near-mythical figure in the world of guitars; we hope you enjoy this exclusive chat. This week's sponsors are Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Dying Breed Music. Check them out and tell them the Fretboard Journal sent you. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal and save $5 just by using the discount code PODCAST when you check out.

For our 150th episode of the Fretboard Journal Podcast, we turn the tables: Luthier Meagan Wells (guest on episode #134) interviews Fretboard Journal publisher / editor Jason Verlinde. We talk about the origins of the Fretboard Journal magazine, Jason's love affair with the musical saw, his favorite guitars, some of our most memorable video and interview sessions and a lot more. We hope you enjoy this little peek into the making of the FJ and all of our projects. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Follow Meagen here or via Instagram. Follow the Fretboard Journal via www.fretboardjournal.com. And, if you like our podcast, please leave us a review on iTunes. And don't forget to subscribe to the print edition! Use the discount code PODCAST and you'll get $5 off just for listening to our show.

Minnesota's Tom Nechville may very well be the closest thing the banjo world has to Leo Fender. For the last 30 years, he's innovated the five-string banjo with revolutionary products like the Heli-Mount, the Cyclotronic Tone Ring and the Flux Capacitor. On this week's podcast, we talk to Nechville about his inventions, his banjos (acoustic and electric) and some of the challenges of building forward-thinking products for a market that largely leans towards the traditional. Even if you're not a banjo player, you'll enjoy hearing about how Nechville found his calling in the world of fretted instruments and some of the R&D that he goes through with his instruments. Like the Fretboard Journal? Order a Fretboard Journal subscription and use the coupon code PODCAST to save $5. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars, which has its own fair share of banjos, along with guitars, basses, mandolins and more. http://www.nechville.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal Podcast on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fretboard-journal-podcast/id394447340?mt=2

"I've always been into the older, cheaper Sears' catalog-type guitars," Nic Delisle of Island Instruments explains on this week's podcast. That influence is clearly apparent when one looks at Island's unique guitar lineup; you can see familiar Silvertone, Kay and Stratotone shapes but with refined hardware, ergonomics and pickups. During our talk, Delisle walks us through his numerous electric guitar models, explains his love for reclaimed materials (he recently made a guitar using reclaimed floorboards from the Boston Symphony Hall) and more. We also talk about the La Conner Guitar Festival, which took place May 12-14, 2017 in La Conner, Washington. Check out Island Instruments here. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars.

Want to become a professional luthier or repair person? Are you already a working in the field but want to up your game? If so, you'll love this week's podcast episode. We're talking to luthier Bryan Galloup about his annual Northwoods Seminar, a four-day retreat where you can learn the finer points of guitarmaking and repair from some of the biggest names in the business, including Bob Taylor, Richard Hoover, Dan Erlewine, Andy Powers and others. This year's event takes place August 21-24, 2017 and includes music performances by Bill Kirchen and Redd Volkaert. On the show, we also talk to Galloup about his Galloup School of Guitar Building and Repair, his own guitar creations, the unique presentation he gave at our Fretboard Summit and more. Galloup is one of many luthiers who will be on-hand at this year's La Conner Guitar Festival, which takes place this weekend (May 12-14) in La Conner, Washington. The Fretboard Journal is proudly sponsoring this event. We hope to see you there. This episode is sponsored by Dying Breed Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Enjoying our podcast? Consider subscribing via iTunes and don't forget to leave us a review. Northwoods Seminar Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/409974032696325/ Galloup Guitars: http://www.galloupguitars.com Fretboard Journal https://www.fretboardjournal.com

The first time Matt Hampton sought out to harvest Red spruce for guitar tops, he, quite simply, "searched Google Earth for dark patches on top of tall mountains." Matt and his brother Nate are now continuing the legacy started by Ted Davis and John Arnold and making a full-time living hunting down Adirondack red spruce for luthiers and larger-scale guitar manufacturers. Matt describes the process and how one tree can yield up to 500 tops, their unlikely start in the world of guitarmaking, their relationship with John Arnold and more. He also busts a few myths about spruce. We also hear about the brothers' quest to find quality domestic back and side tonewoods. It's a fascinating story, they sound almost like the American Pickers of trees. Watch the Brothers harvest a Red spruce tree here on YouTube. You can contact the Hampton Brothers via email ([email protected]) or eBay. Our sponsors today are Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Dying Breed Music. Check them out and tell them the Fretboard Journal sent you. Subscribe to our magazine here.

Today we're talking to the one-and-only Ben Harper. Ben tells us about a very special guitar he just received from luthier John Monteleone. It's the first lap steel guitar that Monteleone has ever made, a guitar that John has dubbed a Radio City Special Deluxe (see pictures and video at fretboardjournal.com). In addition to talking about the origin of his Monteleone guitar, we talk to Ben about his new Reverb store, some recent recording projects (including a session with jazz player Bruce Bishop) and a lot more. Ben Harper's Official Site: http://www.benharper.com Please subscribe to the Fretboard Journal Podcast on iTunes if you haven't yet and don't forget to leave us a review. Want our print edition? Go to fretboardjournal.com and use the coupon code PODCAST and save $5.00 off any subscription or order. Want to support our digital efforts even further? Click here to donate and support our ever-growing (and always free) podcast, video and digital content. Lastly, this episode is sponsored by Retrofret, one of our favorite vintage instrument dealers in the country. Visit them online or at their Brooklyn showroom.

On today's podcast, acclaimed luthiers Linda Manzer, David Wren and Tony Duggan-Smith gather around Manzer's kitchen table to talk to us about their new Group of Seven guitar project. The Group of Seven consisted of Canadian landscape painters Lawren Harris, J.E.H. MacDonald, Arthur Lismer, Franklin Carmichael, Frank Johnston, F.H. Varley and A.Y. Jackson. These seven artist friends were prolific through the 1920s and early '30s and are now considered highly influential. Manzer saw similarities between the bond these seven legendary artists had and the one she shares with fellow luthiers and friends who studied under Jean Larrivee, decades ago. She decided to pay homage by having seven guitars built. Each luthier would focus on a different Group of Seven member. The luthiers participating include Manzer, Sergi de Jonge, Duggan-Smith, Wren, George Gray, Grit Laskin and Jean Larrivée. The luthiers also built an eighth guitar as a group to pay tribute to painter Tom Thomson. The project launches May 6, 2017 at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection outside of Toronto and the guitars will be on display through October in a room right next to the art that inspired them. http://mcmichael.com/event/the-group-of-seven-guitar-project-summer-2017/ http://www.manzer.com/guitars/ http://www.wrenguitarworks.com http://www.tonyduggan-smith.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com This episode is sponsored by our friends at Retrofret and Dying Breed Music.

Andy Powers is a force of nature. He's a gifted musician, an avid surfer and, of course, a stellar guitarmaker. As Andy tells us on this week's podcast, he's always had the guitarmaking bug. In fact, he attempted to build his first instrument when he was still in elementary school and, when he was barely a teenager, he had enough of a guitar repair business brewing that he earned himself a letter from the IRS. As an adult, Powers had a bustling business building archtops, guitars, ukuleles and mandolins and doing restorations out of his Oceanside, California workshop when he decided to switch gears and become a full-time Taylor employee. At Taylor, Powers has tirelessly worked on new lines and improvements, including the Grand Orchestra model, revamping the 600 and 800 series lines of guitars, the new Academy series of instruments and the GS Mini-e Bass. During our chat, we talk about these models, the recruitment offer he received from Bob Taylor, the state of affairs when it comes to Taylor sourcing wood, his R&D process and much more. This episode of the Fretboard Journal Podcast is brought to you by Retrofret Vintage Guitars in Brooklyn, New York. https://www.taylorguitars.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com

On today's podcast, we talk to Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett. Chris tells us about growing up in Santa Barbara; starting out on guitar; his early love for metal; how he landed the Foo Fighters gig; why he started playing Telecasters; and the making of his new solo country album, 'West Coast Town.' Chris also talks to us about his weekly podcast, 'Walking the Floor,' where he's interviewed a wide array of artists including Marty Stuart, Bob Mould, Lucinda Williams, Buddy Miller and others. Watch our video with Chris playing "Goodnight Little Rock" from the new album here. For a limited time, use the coupon code PODCAST and save $5 off any Fretboard Journal subscription or order. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Dying Breed Music. Tune in next week when we interview Andy Powers of Taylor Guitars. And don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes.

On this week's podcast, we talk to Ethan Gruska (Belle Brigade) about his 2017 solo album, Slowmotionary. As Gruska tells it, he innocently recorded a handful of songs thinking they would serve as a sort of business card to remind musician pals that he could do session work for them. Little did he know he'd eventually synch up with producer Tony Berg, record an entire album steeped in '60s and '70s singer-songwriter sounds and end up releasing it on Sire records. Gruska talks to us about working with Berg on the project, Blake Mills (who plays guitar on the album's second track) and what it was like to co-write a song for John Legend ("Right by You" on Legend's Darkness and Light). Though Gruska says "the guitar is a series of happy accidents for me," he's a stellar player. Watch our video with him playing "Reoccurring Dream" on fretboardjournal.com. This episode of the Fretboard Journal Podcast is sponsored by Retrofret Guitars. Visit their website or Instagram and tell them the FJ sent you! http://retrofret.com http://www.ethangruska.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com

This week, we have a fun talk with Doug Kauer of Kauer Guitars, Titan Guitars and DRS racks. Doug tells us about how his family's cabinetry business gave him the experience he needed to build instruments, why he utilizes CNC machines in his production facility and the unique business model behind the Titan line (an American-made electric guitar starting at $1300 with plenty of customization options). This episode is brought to you by Dying Breed Music. Dying Breed has an amazing selection of Golden Era Martins, Gibsons and other instruments available: http://www.dyingbreedguitars.com www.fretboardjournal.comhttp://www.kauerguitars.com http://www.titanguitars.comhttp://www.drsracks.com

Another highlight from the 2016 Fretboard Summit: Rick Turner, Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna) and Dan Schwarz have a candid talk about the evolution of instrument amplification and tone from the 1960s to today. Casady talks about his desire for higher fidelity bass sounds, even as rock concert sound systems got bigger and bigger, and the electronic experimentation that ensued. Schwarz talks about the fateful day in 1973 when he walked into the Alembic guitar factory. Meanwhile, Rick Turner discusses the back-and-forth collaborations that happen between luthiers and their clients. It's a deep (two hours long) talk that covers a lot of ground... This episode of the Fretboard Journal Podcast is sponsored by Dying Breed Music. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print magazine here.

Banjo virtuoso Noam Pikelny joins us on this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about his new (and excellent) solo album 'Universal Favorite', some of the instruments in his growing collection (including his 1930 Gibson Granada, his 1941 Gibson TB-7, his 1953 Martin D-28 and his 1953 Fender Telecaster) and a lot more. Get Noam's tour dates and order 'Universal Favorite' here: http://noam.net This episode is sponsored by Dying Breed Music: http://www.dyingbreedguitars.com Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal Podcast via iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fretboard-journal-podcast/id394447340?mt=2

Relic'd guitars are nothing new in the world of electric instruments, but they're relatively unheard of when it comes to acoustics. Pre-War Guitars – the duo of Wes Lambe and Ben Maschal – hopes to change that. The pair of veteran luthiers are creating guitars that tap into the vintage sound and feel of Martins and Gibsons of the 1930s and '40s with hide glue, ultra-thin finishes and torrefied top woods. But they're also adding scratches, dents and play wear to each of their new guitars (they offer a variety of distress levels based on a customer's preference). On this week's podcast, you can hear about how this company came together, how they're constructing these instruments and why sometimes a little wear can result in a better sounding guitar. This week's episode is sponsored by Dying Breed Music. Check out their Gbase page here: https://www.gbase.com/stores/dying-breed-music https://www.fretboardjournal.com https://www.pre-warguitars.com Don't forget to subscribe to us via iTunes and please leave us a review if you can. Our 38th issue of the Fretboard Journal is now mailing... with features on Daniel Lanois, Leo Kottke, the first "Loar" mandolin and a lot more.

If you love a good story, you'll want to tune into this week's podcast with luthier Wyatt Wilkie. Though he comes from a musical family, Wilkie is a completely self-taught instrument maker. He built his very first instrument, a mandocello, while working in New Mexico as a gravedigger. He then moved to a small town in Wales where he honed his craft and eventually found himself in Georgia apprenticing for archtop guitar icon Bob Benedetto. Wilkie is now nestled in the Comox Valley on British Columbia's Vancouver Island, where he divides his time today between mandolins and archtop guitars. Nearly all of his work is exquisite and custom… and no two guitars are alike. This week's episode is sponsored by Dying Breed Music: https://www.gbase.com/stores/dying-breed-music Links mentioned: http://wilkiestringedinstruments.com http://laconnerguitarfestival.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com/columns/fretboard-journal-38-whats-inside/

On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to Jason and Pharis Romero of J. Romero Banjo Co. From the tiny town of Horsefly, British Columbia, the Romeros craft some of the most coveted new fretted instruments being made. They currently have a five year waitlist and, as they describe it, even getting on the waitlist is a bit of a challenge. The duo are also exceptional musicians and won the 2016 Juno Award for Best Traditional Album of the Year. In June 2016, a fire swept through the Romeros entire shop, destroying many of their new instruments as well as some of the prized vintage possessions. During our conversation, we talk to them about the fire, the help they received from the music community and how their rebuild process is going. We also chat about some of their latest banjo creations and innovations. http://www.romerobanjos.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com/video/fretboard-films-trip-romero-banjos/ (our film on the Romeros original shop) Subscribe to the Journal here: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/collections/all/products/fretboard-journal-subscription-no-auto-renew (use the coupon code PODCAST and save an additional $5 off your order)

On this week's podcast, we talk to luthier Maegen Wells. After years of working alongside famed archtop guitar and bass builder Tom Ribbecke, Maegen is now building her own guitar and mandolin creations out of her Forestville, California workshop. Wells has devoted nearly her entire adult life to learning the craft of lutherie and woodworking. Straight out of high school, she enrolled in Bryan Galloup's Galloup School of Guitar Building and Professional Guitar Repair. She then went on to work at the Reverend Guitars warehouse and served as an apprentice to both Andrew White and Ribbecke. Don't forget to subscribe to the Fretboard Journal Podcast via iTunes and, if you can, leave us a review on iTunes to help us with our search rankings: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fretboard-journal-podcast/id394447340?mt=2 The Fretboard Journal's latest issue, #38, is now mailing worldwide. Subscribe via fretboardjournal.com and we'll start you off with this edition. This episode is brought to you via sponsor TR Crandall. Check out their amazing inventory of vintage archtops, electrics and flattop acoustic guitars. And tell them the Fretboard Journal sent you: http://trcrandall.com Links: http://www.maegenwellsguitars.com https://www.fretboardjournal.comhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLYZL2xae8A (StewMac video featuring Maegen Wells creating a tortoloid pickguard for a Gibson archtop)

On today's podcast, we talk to William Seeders Mosheim, the owner of Seeders Instruments. Seeders is an open-back banjo builder who has found success combining old world designs with new world craftsmanship. The Vermont-based luthier honed his woodworking craft at his father's furniture business but now has a multi-year wait list for his banjos. His custom creations can incorporate any number of tone ring styles, wood options and levels of ornamentation. This episode is sponsored once again by TR Crandall. If you're visiting their store or website, don't forget to tell them that the Fretboard Journal sent you. trcrandall.com fretboardjournal.comseedersinstruments.com Don't forget to subscribe to all of the Fretboard Journal podcasts via iTunes. And leave us a review if you can!

This week, we talk to recording engineer Larry Crane of Portland's Jackpot! Recording Studio about the new and expanded 20th anniversary reissue of Elliott Smith's Either/Or, his friendship with Smith and what those original recording sessions were like. Larry tells us about Smith's in-studio work habits, the gear they used, the work that went into remastering these songs and a lot more. We also discuss the economics of running a recording studio and Tape Op, the magazine that Crane co-founded with John Baccigaluppi. This week's episode is sponsored by TR Crandall in New York. Links Discussed: Elliott Smith's Either / Or (Expanded Edition) on Amazon Elliott Smith helping build Jackpot! (pics) Tape Op magazine The Fretboard Journal Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal podcast via iTunes and leave us a review, please.

This week: A double-episode of sorts! First off, we talk to Michael James Adams (aka by his social media handle, puisheen) about interviewing Nels Cline for us for issue 37. Michael walks through the interview process, Nels' gear selections and more. Around the 20 minute mark, we share another session from the 2016 Fretboard Summit, this one on the next generation of guitar stores. On the panel: Adams (co-founder of Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar), Mark Stutman (Folkway Music), Reuben Cox (Old Style Guitar Shop), Will Lowe (Lowe Vintage) and Paul Heumiller (Dream Guitars). Topics covered: Using social media to sell guitars, finding your niche, and how these stores find their inventory. This episode is brought to you by another relatively new store, TR Crandall. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal Podcast via iTunes here.

On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to singer-songwriter Paul Burch, who went from performing in rock and indie bands in the Midwest to working the honky tonks on Lower Broadway. Burch tells us about his years performing at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, focusing on "post-war, pre-Elvis" music; his classic country music influences; how his songwriting and singing evolved; and his latest project, Meridian Rising, an imagined, musical autobiography of Jimmie Rodgers. Read about Burch on fretboardjournal.com here: https://www.fretboardjournal.com/features/blue-ode-paul-burch-channels-inner-jimmie-rodgers/ This episode is sponsored by TR Crandall.

Yet another fun session from the 2016 Fretboard Summit! This week we hear John Thomas (Kalamazoo Gals), TJ Thompson, Mark Stutman (Folkway Music), Jim Baggett (Mass Street Music), Robb Lawrence (The Les Paul Legacy) and David Sheppard (Lowe Vintage) field questions on vintage Gibson acoustic guitars. Topics include: the many variables found in most vintage Gibsons; solid linings versus kerfed linings; converting ladder-braced models to X-braced; repair headaches; finish thickness and much more. Sponsored by TR Crandall. Use the coupon code FJHoliday when you check out at https://shop.fretboardjournal.com and get an additional 15% off any order.

The wait is over! Back on our 100th episode, we introduced you to T. Drew Heinonen, a young luthier who attended the first Fretboard Summit. We ended up ordering a guitar through Drew, using woods and materials we sourced through some of our favorite suppliers. Ever since, we've been checking in with Drew on the podcast as he builds the instrument. Well, the wait is over and at the second Summit (held in October 2016 in San Diego), Drew presented us with the finished guitar, a fine sounding koa/Lutz OM with surprising tone (for a koa instrument) and plenty of personal touches. On today's episode, we talk to Drew about how the guitar came together, how it's opening up and what his plans are for 2017 and beyond. We also discuss the sister OM guitar that Drew built using Black locust and Red spruce. That instrument is currently for sale via Drew.

Law professor, author and Fretboard Journal Field Editor John Thomas joins us once again to discuss some recent updates to CITES and the impact they will have on musicians, instrument collectors and builders. Specifically, beginning January 2017, all remaining species of Rosewood (beyond Brazilian, which was already protected) will be added to CITES Appendix II. This may not affect you at all if you keep your guitars in United States but if you ever plan on taking an instrument with rosewood across the border (or selling one to someone outside the country), you may have some work to do. We discuss the various steps that collectors, luthiers and dealers should take if they want to transport guitars with rosewood internationally; how builders can protect their wood stockpile; the expenses and timing needed to file all this paperwork; and a lot more. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal podcast for free via iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fretboard-journal-podcast/id394447340?mt=2 and please consider leaving us a review or sharing the podcast with friends. If you're holiday shopping and want to give the Fretboard Journal as a gift this year, use the coupon code FJHOLIDAY when you check out. You'll get 15% off any order: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com Intro/Outro music by Jon Rauhouse. Links Mentioned: Today's podcast is sponsored by TR Crandall: http://trcrandall.com US Fish & Wildlife Link for Musical Instrument Passports: https://www.fws.gov/international/permits/by-activity/musical-instruments.html NAMM on CITES Updates: https://www.namm.org/issues-and-advocacy/regulatory-compliance/cites-update-action-rosewood-has-broad The Fretboard Journal's Guide to Musical Instrument Passports: https://www.fretboardjournal.com/columns/musical-instrument-passports-new-cites-provision/ The FJ's Guitar Lover's Guide to CITES: https://www.fretboardjournal.com/features/guitar-lovers-guide-cites-conservation-treaty/ League of American Orchestra's CITES Protected Species Travel Tips: http://americanorchestras.org/advocacy-government/travel-with-instruments/endangered-species-material/protected-species-travel-tips.html

On December 5, 1927, the day after Blind Willie Johnson recorded some of his most influential blues sides at an impromptu Columbia Records recording studio in Dallas, in walked an equally mysterious and haunting musician, Washington Phillips. Phillips carried a homebrew instrument - later described as a "dulceola" but, as we learn on today's podcast, actually two zithers he fabricated together. The otherworldly music coming out of those zithers, combined with Phillips' powerful singing and songwriting, created some of the most awe-inspiring and mysterious sounds ever recorded. It's no wonder Phillips has been covered by Ry Cooder, Jorma Kaukonen, Will Oldham and others. On today's podcast, we talk to writer Michael Corcoran, whose research helped fill in the gaps of who, exactly, Phillips was, where he lived and when he died. We also talk about Phillips instrument of choice and how the dulceola theory was finally debunked. All of Corcoran's findings on Phillips can be found on the new Dust to Digital book/CD recording called Washington Phillips and his Manzarene Dreams. It's great music and great writing (the liner notes are actually a 76-page book)… we can't recommend it enough. "Where did this come from? That still remains the mystery," Corcoran concludes. "I still don't know that… you really will never know the motivation of the artist…" Discussed in this podcast: http://www.pickaway.press/fz/wp.html (page dedicated to Washington Phillips' instrument) http://www.dust-digital.com/washington-phillips/ (Washington Phillips and his Manzarene Dreams)

You don't need to be an offset guitar connoisseur to appreciate the beauty of Nels Cline's beat 1960 Fender Jazzmaster, affectionately dubbed "Watt." On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to the former owner of that guitar, Mike Watt himself. Watt reflects on his ongoing friendship with Cline, his ownership stint with the Jazzmaster (which was briefly owned by J Mascis before Watt bought it via Rick King at Guitar Maniacs), the Minutemen and more. We ask Watt about the recent release of Ring Spiel Tour '95, an amazing live document featuring Watt with Eddie Vedder, Dave Grohl, Pat Smear and William Goldsmith. Also discussed: D. Boon, EMG pickups, Floored by Four, the Black Gang, a potential signature model Mike Watt bass and more. Referenced in the discussion: Nels' tour diaries: http://hootpage.com/hoot_nelsclamblow1.html Nels' tour diaries, pt 2: http://hootpage.com/hoot_nelsshinebox1.html Nels Cline's Goo Pedal: http://www.toneconcepts.com/goo/ Watts' Gear: http://www.hootpage.com/hoot_gallery-thudstaffs.html Dos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFrgJBCtCmE Ring Spiel Tour '95: http://amzn.to/2gdyJqj Nikon Coolpix LX830: http://amzn.to/2gdzsaV Nels Cline is on the cover of the new Fretboard Journal #37, available now. Podcast listeners: Use the coupon code "podcast" when you check out. https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/collections/all/products/subscription

On this week's podcast, we talk to guitarist Jon Herington. For the last several years, Herrington has performed guitar duties for Steely Dan, but his credits go far beyond that. He's also an accomplished singer-songwriter and session musician. We also discuss his 2016 solo album Adult Entertainment, his Wysocki Telecaster, the rigors of touring and a bunch more.

On this week's podcast, we're sharing the vintage Martin guitar panel that took place at the 2016 Fretboard Summit. Included on this panel were guitar experts Mark Stutman (Folkway Music), TJ Thompson, Jim Baggett (Mass Street Music), David Sheppard (Lowe Vintage), Eric Schoenberg and Joe Glaser (Glaser Instruments). Also joining in is Dick Boak from Martin. This episode makes for a nice bookend with Fretboard Journal Podcast #122 with TJ Thompson. Topics include: TJ's background, the Martin "longscale" myth, proper intonation, hide glue, popsicle braces, slotted bridge pins, why you can't make a new guitar exactly like an old one and much more. All-told, a fun and informative chat with six of the world's best-known vintage instrument experts. Note: The audience was un-mic'd for this informal session so questions are hard to hear on this podcast. You should be able to figure out all the questions asked via the panel's responses. This episode is sponsored by TR Crandall Guitars.

On this week's Fretboard Journal podcast, we're sharing the talk that acclaimed luthier TJ Thompson gave at the 2016 Fretboard Summit in San Diego. This talk was billed as "Myth Busting with TJ Thompson" and had the following description in our program: Adirondack you say? What makes you think so? Is it possible to build a new guitar just like the old guitars? How long is long scale? Is hide glue really better? Should you have that popsicle brace removed? Internet bloggers who believe they know the answers to these questions beware, this lecture may not be for you. This was easily one of the most candid talks at the Summit. By popular demand (and with his permission), we're sharing it today. At the 2016 Summit, TJ was also on panels discussing vintage Martin guitars, vintage acoustic Gibson guitars and the merits of the PLEK machine. We'll be sharing those in the near future, too. Please review us on iTunes if you haven't yet and don't forget to subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print edition. Our new issue (#37) is now mailing with Nels Cline on the cover. This week's podcast sponsor is TR Crandall, a must-see vintage guitar shop in New York City. The Fretboard Journal Podcast on iTunes: click here TJ Thompson: https://proluthiertools.com TR Crandall: http://www.trcrandall.com Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here.

The last official talk at the 2016 Fretboard Summit featured three giants in the world of guitarmaking: Rick Turner, Dana Bourgeois and Andy Powers. This sprawling talk covers a lot of ground: What makes a great guitar? How long are guitars supposed to last? Will artificial intelligence take over guitar making? They also fielded plenty of enlightening questions from our audience. [Note: Audio is a little variable with audience questions – not everyone spoke into a microphone – but the answers should be plenty audible.] The second Fretboard Summit took place October 14-16, 2016 in San Diego. Over the next few months, we'll be releasing more content – talks, panels and concert footage – on fretboardjournal.com.

Two old friends join us on this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast as we talk with guitar improvising legend Henry Kaiser and Andy Marshall of THD Electronics. During our sprawling chat, Kaiser tells us about his love for diving in the Antarctic and how being underwater in the cold has affected his sense of rhythm. He also tells us how he met Alexander "Howard" Dumble and how he obtained his #1 Steel String Singer in one of the great guitar deals of the century. Kaiser then walks us through his pedalboard's entire signal chain, briefly demoing each pedal. The pair also discuss the magic of Bell & Howell Filmosound amplifiers and the future of Marshall's THD Electronics. Must-watch video of Henry Kaiser swimming with the Weddell seals: http://www.inktalks.com/discover/741/henry-kaiser-music-of-the-seals And Kaiser playing slide on the South Pole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9KnwR17V1c Note: During this taping, we filmed a few videos with Kaiser and Marshall performing at the FJ. Look for those on fretboardjournal.com and on our YouTube channel over the next couple of weeks. http://thdelectronics.com http://www.henrykaiserguitar.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com

On this week's podcast, we talk to Will Lowe and David Sheppard of Lowe Vintage. Lowe Vintage is a relatively new guitar shop based in Burlington, North Carolina. Despite their newcomer status in the world of vintage guitars, mandolins and banjos, they've already amassed an incredible selection of Gibsons, Martins and more. During our talk, Will Lowe tells us about how this store came about and where they find all these classic '20s-'40s era instruments. We also talk to David Sheppard about the repair work he does to these instruments, collector trends and more. We're happy to announce that Lowe Vintage will be bringing many of their instruments to our Fretboard Summit, October 14-16, 2016 in San Diego, California. Attend and have an opportunity to play (or purchase) some of these remarkable gems. http://lowevintage.comhttps://www.fretboardjournal.com http://www.fretboardsummit.com

Our Fretboard Summit OM guitar project is now nearing completion. On this episode, we conduct one last Skype conversation with luthier T. Drew Heinonen to talk about the instrument, where it stands currently and about some of the finishing touches Drew will be making to the guitar. He tells us a bit about pore fillers, the intricacies of UV finishes, how he prefers to glue the bridge to the body, the merits of Ironwood as a replacement for Ebony and much more. We'll be unveiling this guitar for the first time at the Fretboard Summit, October 14-16, 2016 in San Diego, California. Join us for three days of music, guitar talks, interviews and panels if you can. We'll even let you play this very guitar. It's going to be a blast. Special thanks to Stewart MacDonald for sponsoring this and other Summit guitar episodes. http://www.stewmac.com http://www.fretboardsummit.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com http://www.heinonenguitars.com

We don't often cover religious music here at the Journal but on today's podcast we talk to Paul Enns, a music pastor based in London. He walks us through his unique job, crafting music and playing acoustic guitar for church services; tells us about his wildly eclectic music tastes (here's a player who can appreciate everything from Joe Henry to John Zorn and Albert Ayler); describes the life changing impact Springsteen's The River had on him as a child and a lot more. Also, Summit updates, some Southern California FJ reader meetups and more. Intro and outro music by Jon Rauhouse, who has a new album out with Eric Bachmann. www.fretboardjournal.comwww.fretboardsummit.com Jon Rauhouse with Eric Bachmann: http://stores.portmerch.com/ericbachmann/featured-products/eric-bachmann-and-jon-rauhouse-lp.html

As Santa Cruz celebrates its fortieth anniversary, we're sharing the talk that founder Richard Hoover gave at the first-ever Fretboad Summit. Richard tells us a bit about the SCGC operation, gives us his thoughts on how tonewoods affect what we hear, describes his specific builds for Tony Rice and much more. The next Fretboard Summit takes place October 14-16, 2016 in San Diego, California. Once again, Hoover and many luthiers from around the country will be on-hand, fielding questions and explaining their craft. We'll also have some of our favorite musicians, interactive exhibits, dozens of vintage guitars in a pop-up "guitar library" and much more. http://santacruzguitar.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com http://www.fretboardsummit.com

Jim Olson is a legend in the world of acoustic guitar making. The Minnesota-based luthier is a cult favorite among guitar collectors around the world thanks to the instruments he's built for James Taylor (Taylor's Olson was once immortalized in cartoon form on a Simpson's episode), Phil Keaggy and Leo Kottke. Due to their high demand, Olson's new creations start at $15,000, a price that even he is a little embarrassed by. "I'm the Forrest Gump of guitarmaking," Olson tells us. "I fell into here. I don't think these things are any more special than anything else." During this candid talk, Olson tells us about the first guitar he built (with help from the classic Irving Sloane book), how Keagy ordered the first cedar guitar and how an early (and failed) distribution deal for his dreadnoughts in the late '70s resulted in his fanatical appreciation for tooling and build efficiency. "I'm sometimes more interested in making a new piece of tooling than a guitar," he says. We also talk CNC machines, the creation of the Small Jumbo, tone woods, his fateful meeting with James Taylor and more. Subscribe to all the Fretboard Journal podcasts via iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fretboard-journal-podcast/id394447340?mt=2 https://www.fretboardjournal.com http://www.fretboardsummit.com